Katy Perry invites inspiring Verrado High cheerleader to event

Verrado High School cheerleaders, led by its video star Megan Squire, cheer for a national TV audience after the school was announced as one of five finalists for a concert by Kate Perry. (Source: CBS 5 News)

The students were awake and roaring for the TV audience in the early morning Monday. (Source: CBS 5 News)

Verrado High School in Buckeye didn't win the contest for a free concert by pop star Katy Perry, but they are winners in the hearts of many.

A school in Colorado was announced the winner, but Perry said she's giving an Arizona student in the contest a trip of a lifetime.

Earlier this month, students at Verrado High School were wide-eyed and roaring for a national television audience with the announcement that the school was one of five finalists as part of a national contest to have Perry perform at their school.

Verrado's video stars Megan Squire, a school cheerleader for four years who has overcome the challenges of Down syndrome.

When the winning school was announced, Perry said she was inspired by Squire's story and is taking Squire and friends to an event this fall where Perry will be singing.

"I have something very special for my friend, Megan, from Verrado High School. I want to bring Megan to a special event with me as my date, at an event I'm singing. I know which one it is. It's going to be very exciting. We're going to get dressed up," Perry said Friday on national television. "And I want to celebrate her and hear her roar in person. Megan, thank you so much. I love you. I love your spirit. You have really inspired me."

Perry issued the challenge for the students to make a video from her song Roar and the chance for the free concert on their campus.

Squire is Verrado High School's inspiration in its interpretation of Roar.

"My original idea was for me finding my roar but the more and more we thought about it the song is mainly about female empowerment," Squire said.

Not only has Squire excelled in school, but she tried out and made her school's cheerleading squad all four years of high school.

"It's a true story and that's probably why I'm OK with it being out there," said Megan's mom, Kimberly Squire.

The four schools in the top five that didn't win the contest will receive a plaque from Perry.